Overload protection, drive train comprising such an overload protection, device comprising a lifting tool, and method for applying working forces

ABSTRACT

In order to further develop overload protection devices for machine tools, the invention relates to an overload protection comprising a force input element and a force output element which are rigidly and non-positively interconnected by means of a positive connection and can be moved relative to one another when an overload protection is actuated. The overload protection devices are characterized by an emergency running gear; by means of which the force input element and the force output element are interconnected so as to be guided towards each other in a controlled manner when the overload protection is actuated.

The invention relates on the one hand to an overload protection unit having a force input element and having a force output element, which are rigidly and non-positively connected to one another using a positive connection and which are movable relative to one another when the overload protection unit is actuated. On the other hand, the invention relates to a drive train having a first drive train link and having at least one further drive train link, which are situated between a drive and a tool fixedly connected to one another as the drive train, an overload protection unit being situated between the first drive train link and the further drive train link. The invention also relates to a device having a lifting tool for producing and/or processing a workpiece, in which the lifting tool is mounted so it is movable in the device using a drive train having an overload protection unit. The invention also relates to a method for applying working forces to a lifting tool, which is driven using drive links guided on predetermined movement paths, and in which, in the event of a driving force overload, an overload protection unit is actuated and drive links are thus disconnected from one another.

Overload protection units according to the species are known from the prior art in manifold designs and are used in particular in punch machines for protecting components and/or component groups from irreparable destruction in the event of a malfunction, because enormous working forces are generated in machines of this type.

It is the object of the present invention to refine known overload protection units in such a way that damage can be reduced or even avoided on a device for producing and/or processing a workpiece, in particular on a drive train of such a device.

The object of the invention is achieved by an overload protection unit having a force input element and having a force output element, which are rigidly and non-positively connected to one another using a positive connection and which are movable relative to one another when the overload protection unit is actuated, the overload protection unit having an emergency running gear, using which the force input element and the force output element are movable relative to one another when the overload protection unit is actuated, but are connected to one another so they are guided controlled relative to one another.

Known overload protection units do not have an emergency running gear of this type, so that in the event of an actuated overload protection unit, drive train links of a drive train move uncoordinated with one another, whereby they may severely damage themselves and/or surrounding areas of a machine. This is avoided in the present case.

The term “actuated overload protection unit” describes in the present case that the overload protection unit was triggered because of an overload situation, for example, in a gear of a press, so that a drive side and an output side are disconnected from one another in regard to working forces.

The term “force input element” describes a component of the overload protection unit in the present case, using which working forces are introduced on the drive side into the overload protection unit. In any case having a particularly simple construction, the force input element is identical to a first drive train link, which is provided on the drive side in the drive train.

Correspondingly, the term “force output element” refers to a component of the present overload protection unit, using which drive forces may be relayed on the output side to a tool. In an embodiment variant having a particularly simple construction, the force output element thus forms a further drive train link, which is associated on the output side with a tool, for example, such as a lifting tool.

The present emergency running gear can be implemented in various ways, as long as the force input element and the force output element are guided securely to one another when the overload protection unit is actuated. In order that the force input element and the force output element are guided particularly operationally reliably to one another when the overload protection unit is actuated, it is advantageous if the emergency running gear comprises corresponding guide paths, along which the force input element and the force output element may execute a controlled guided relative movement to one another when the overload protection unit is actuated.

In particular in regard to gear links for transmitting pressure and/or traction forces, it is advantageous if the overload protection unit has linear guide paths, along which the force input element and the force output element may execute translational relative movements guided to one another, in particular an exclusively translational relative movement, because in this way the two elements may be moved translationally to one another along their main force axes.

The present described positive connection, using which the force input element and the force output element are non-positively connected to one another, can be manifold in nature. A positive connection is already known from the prior art, so that in the present case it will only be discussed in that it is advantageous if the positive connection has a bias-tensioned triggering component and/or a shear pin, because a shear pin can be exchanged cost-effectively and easily and thus replaced in case of an actuated overload protection unit. Alternatively to the shear pin, for example, a component group having a bias-tensioned ball or another bias-tensioned triggering part may be used as the positive connection.

In order that a shear pin does not have to be implemented as oversized for transmitting the required working forces, it is advantageous in the present case if the force input element and the force output element are non-positively and rigidly connected to one another using a friction-locked connection. The required force transmission preferably occurs via the shear pin—or another element for the removable retention of a force equilibrium—and additionally via a friction lock.

An advantageous embodiment variant in this regard provides that the friction-locked connection comprises two clamping elements, between which the force input element and the force output element are clamped.

It is ensured by the friction-locked connection that the working forces do not have to be completely transmitted by the positive connection between the input element and the output element. Rather, the positive connection can also be dimensioned as a function of the friction-locked connection.

In order that a drive side and an output side of a drive train may be moved guided relative to one another undamaged, in particular on a main force axis, when an overload protection unit is actuated, it is advantageous if the force input element and the force output element are connected spaced apart from one another by a crash distance.

In the present case, the term “crash distance” describes a distance between the force input element and the force output element, so that both elements may perform a relative movement to one another. For example, it is ensured in this way that a drive side can perform a working stroke, without the output side having to follow the movement of the working stroke as in normal working operation. In particular, it is conceivable that the crash distance in the overload protection unit is configured as a free stroke between the force input element and the force output element, so that after triggering of the overload protection unit, the incoming working stroke is relayed in a limited way to the force output element or the incoming stroke is eliminated completely, so that in the second case the drive rotates “freely”.

In an embodiment variant having a particularly simple construction, the force input element and the force output element are situated on the head side toward one another. If the two force elements of the overload protection unit lie opposite in such a way, the overload protection unit has a particularly compact construction, because the particular force main axes of the force input element and the force output element are advantageously parallel to one another or even coaxial.

Correspondingly, a particularly preferred embodiment variant provides that the force input element and the force output element form tension rods and/or pressure rods in a drive train.

In particular, the crash distance described in the present case between the force input element and the force output element can be provided in a particularly simple construction if the force input element and the force output element form a push rod of a drive train.

In order that an overload event and thus an actuation of the overload protection unit can be registered immediately and a drive of the working machine can be turned off, it is advantageous if the overload protection unit comprises sensors, which register a relative movement between the force input element and the force output element. If relative movements between the force input element and the force output element exceed a critical value in the present case, this is ascertained immediately by the sensors and a new emergency shutdown operation of a machine is started, for example. The present sensors may be implemented in manifold ways, in particular using microswitches, strain gauges, or arbitrary insulated contacts.

The stated object is achieved according to a second aspect of the invention by a drive train having a first drive train link and at least one second drive train link, which are situated fixedly connected to one another between a drive and a tool, an overload protection unit being situated between the first drive train link and the second drive train link and the drive train links being connected to one another as a composite of drive train links movably guided relative to one another when the overload protection unit is actuated.

The drive train links, between which the overload protection unit is provided, advantageously remain situated to one another as a composite even when the overload protection unit is actuated in such a way that they are guided to one another—in particular in a defined way—and thus remained connected to one another. drive train links which are disconnected from one another in regard to working forces are thus prevented from smashing around uncontrolled.

In order that the drive train links disconnected from one another in regard to working forces may be guided movably to one another, it is advantageous if the drive train links are situated spaced apart from one another by a safety distance. Using a safety distance of this type it is ensured that the drive train links situated on the input side may execute a working stroke unchanged even after an overload event, without causing further damage in this way. The safety distance is ideally selected as a function of the crash distance in such a way that the drive train links situated on the output side execute no or only a negligible stroke.

In order that a lifting tool transmits no or only insignificant working forces to a workpiece when the overload protection unit is actuated, although the drive is still active, it is advantageous if the crash distance at least corresponds to a working stroke which the drive or a component of the drive, such as a cam disk, provides during a working movement cycle. If the crash distance is selected as greater than the working stroke, the danger that a tool will still execute a stroke as long as the drive is still revolving is decreased.

In order to be able to dimension it economically, it is proposed that the crash distance be no more than 120% of the working stroke.

In order to protect the tool from damage in an incorrectly running machine in particular, it is advantageous if the crash distance corresponds to at least 80%, preferably at least 95% of a working stroke of the lifting tool.

The safety distance between the input-side drive train link and the output-side drive train link is preferably to correspond at least to a longitudinal extension of the overload protection unit in the shortest extension thereof, i.e., the longitudinal extension when the overload protection unit is triggered.

The drive train described in the present case, in particular the overload protection unit described in the present case, can advantageously be used in particular everywhere large traction and/or pressure forces occur between components which interact with one another. Thus, it is advantageous if the drive train comprises a toggle lever mechanism. Toggle lever mechanisms are usually used in connection with large working forces, so that the present invention can be combined particularly advantageously with toggle lever mechanisms.

The present drive train and the present overload protection unit are also particularly well suitable in connection with a drive which has a cam disk or an eccentric disk, because cam disks and/or eccentric disks of this type initially continue to rotate nearly unchecked because of their high masses even in the event of a malfunction in a drive train. Using the present overload protection unit and/or the present drive train, however, it is ensured that cam disks and/or eccentric disks of this type may revolve further until they reach a standstill and, on the one hand, a tool no longer exerts working forces on a workpiece and, on the other hand, drive-side drive train links may be moved guided relative to output-side drive train links on the overload protection unit, without damaging their surroundings.

The drive train is constructed in a particularly simple construction if the drive train links form a push rod. Particularly high working forces may be transmitted without problems using a push rod.

Because of the advantages of the present overload protection unit, a preferred embodiment variant of the drive train provides an overload protection unit according to at least one of the features explained in the present case.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a device having a lifting tool for producing and/or processing a workpiece, in which the lifting tool is mounted movably in the device using a drive train having an overload protection unit, the device being distinguished by a drive train according to one of the features and/or feature combinations explained above and/or by an overload protection unit according to one of the features and/or a feature combination explained above.

The advantages of the present overload protection unit and/or the present drive train may thus also be used in connection with a device having a lifting tool.

The object is achieved in regard to the method by a method for applying working forces to a lifting tool, which is driven using drive links guided on predetermined movement paths, and in which an overload protection unit is actuated in the event of a drive force overload, whereby drive links are disconnected from one another, the drive links being disconnected solely in regard to working forces when the overload protection unit is actuated, and guide forces interacting between the disconnected drive links on the overload protection unit.

The drive links disconnected from one another in regard to working forces are advantageously connected to one another in such a way that guide forces act between them, so that the disconnected drive links are not unguided in the disconnected area.

A method variant provides that the disconnected drive links are guided essentially along the predetermined movement paths in the disconnected area.

It is particularly advantageous if the lifting tool executes no stroke or a secondary stroke when the overload protection unit is actuated.

The term “secondary stroke” refers to a movement of the lifting tool which does not describe a complete working stroke, so that the danger that the lifting tool will be damaged when the overload protection unit is actuated is decreased. In addition, the lifting tool can still be moved in spite of the actuated overload protection unit, in order to move it into a starting or maintenance position, for example.

The invention is explained in greater detail hereafter on the basis of an exemplary device for producing and processing workpieces having an overload protection unit in a drive train with reference to the drawing. In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a rough schematic view of a molding facility having an overload protection unit between a drive side and an output side,

FIG. 2 schematically shows a perspective view of the overload protection unit from FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 schematically shows a side view of the overload protection unit from FIGS. 1 and 2, and

FIG. 4 schematically shows an exploded view of the overload protection unit from FIGS. 1 through 3.

The molding facility 1 having a fixed top tool 2, which has a molding and punching tool top part 3, and having a translationally movable bottom tool 4, which has a molding and punching tool bottom part 5, is used, for example, for the purpose of molding plastic cups via a first working stroke partial step and, after the cooling of the molding compound used for this purpose, punching them out as the plastic cups via a further working partial stroke. The working stroke described above is performed as shown by the double arrow 6 along a movement direction, along which the translationally movable bottom tool 4 is moved.

The molding facility 1 is driven using a motor (not shown), which drives an eccentric disk 8 in the rotational direction 9 via a drive shaft 7. In order to convert the rotational movement 9 of the eccentric disk 8 into translational movement directions as shown by the double arrow 6, a gear 10 is provided between the eccentric disk 8 and the translationally movable bottom tool 4, which essentially comprises a toggle lever mechanism 11 and a push rod 12.

In the present case, a first toggle lever 13 is articulated on the translationally movable bottom tool 4 and a second toggle lever 14 is articulated on a machine housing 15. The two toggle levers 13 and 14 are connected to one another in a toggle joint 16, the push rod 12 additionally being fastened in the toggle joint 16.

The pushrod 12 is in two parts and comprises a first pushrod link 17 and a second pushrod link 18, between which the overload protection unit 19 is situated.

The overload protection unit is used for the purpose of protecting the gear and the molding and punching tool parts 3 and 5 from damage in the event of an occurring overload.

In the present case, the motor, the drive shaft 7, the eccentric disk 8, and the first pushrod link 17 represent a drive side 20 of the machine 1, while the translationally movable bottom tool 4, the toggle lever mechanism 11, and the second pushrod link 18 essentially form the output side 21 of the molding facility 1 in regard to the overload protection unit 19.

It is ensured using the overload protection unit 19 that the eccentric disk 8 can revolve, at least as long as its inherent kinetic energy allows it, without moving the toggle lever mechanism 11 when the overload protection unit 19 is actuated in such a way that the working forces act on the translationally movable bottom tool 4.

For this purpose, the overload protection unit 19 is constructed as follows (cf. FIGS. 2 through 4):

The overload protection unit 19 has a force input element 22, which is provided by a first pushrod link 17 (cf. FIG. 1). In addition, the overload protection unit has a force output element 23, which is provided by the second pushrod link 18 (cf. FIG. 1). The force input element 22 is mounted using a first bearing eye 24 on the eccentric disk 8, while the force output element 23 is mounted using a second bearing eye 25 on the toggle joint 16. Intermediate elements may be provided between both force input element 22 and eccentric disk and also between force output element 23 and toggle joint 16.

The force input element 22 and the force output element 23 are situated abutting, but at a crash distance 26, at their heads to one another and are clamped friction locked to one another using a first clamping plate 27 and a symmetrically designed second clamping plate 28. To apply the required clamping forces between the two clamping plates 27 and 28 and the force input element 22, on the one hand, and the two clamping plates 27 and 28 and the force output element 23, on the other hand, a plurality of clamping screws 29 (identified for exemplary purposes) is provided on the overload protection unit 19.

In order that the force input element 22 and the force output element 23 are securely held and guided relative to the clamping plates 27 and 28—and thus also to one another—first horizontal feather keys 30 and first vertical feather keys 31 are situated on the force input element 22 and second horizontal feather keys 32 and second vertical feather keys 33 are situated on the force output element 23. All feather keys 30 through 33 are screwed onto the force input element 22 or the force output element 23, respectively, on both sides and in a known way using feather key screws 34 (numbered for exemplary purposes).

The first horizontal feather keys 30 correspond to first horizontal feather key grooves 35, the first vertical feather keys 31 correspond to first vertical feather key grooves 36, the second horizontal feather keys 32 correspond to second horizontal feather key grooves 37, and the second vertical feather keys 33 correspond to second vertical feather key grooves 38, so that all components, i.e. force input element 22, force output element 23, first clamping plate 27, and second clamping plate 28 are retained and guided in a defined way to one another.

In order that the overload protection unit 19 can be actuated in case of an overload and the force input element 22 can perform a guided relative movement in relation to the force output element 23, namely in the framework of the crash distance 26, the first horizontal feather key grooves 35 and the first vertical feather key grooves 36 are implemented as larger by the crash distance 26 in the axial direction 39 of the overload protection unit 19 than the horizontal feather keys 30 and vertical feather keys 31 corresponding thereto, i.e. the first horizontal feather key grooves 35 are longer and the first vertical feather key grooves 36 are wider (cf. FIG. 3 in particular, in which the force input element 22 and the force output element 23 having the second clamping plate 28 are shown schematically one above another).

If the frontal distance of the force input element from the force output element is greater or less than the play of the feather keys in their grooves, the crash distance is defined as the lesser of the two dimensions. The two dimensions are preferably at least approximately equal, however.

A relative movement of the force input element 22 to the force output element 23 and the two clamping plates 27 and 28 is only possible when a shear pin 40 of the overload protection unit 19 has been sheared off because of overload forces. The force input element 22 is first free in this case, in order to execute a free stroke 26A relative to the force output element 23 according to the crash distance 26.

The shear pin 40 can also be situated on both sides on the force input element 22, so that one shear pin interacts with the first clamping plate 27 and one shear pin interacts with the second clamping plate 28.

In order that the actuation of the overload protection unit 19 can be displayed immediately on the motor and/or drive management of the present compression and punching machine 1, movement sensors 41 and 42 are provided in particular in the area of the first vertical feather key grooves 36 and the corresponding first vertical feather keys 31, which immediately register and relay a corresponding signal when the first vertical feather keys 31 of the force input element 22 move relative to the first vertical feather key grooves 36 of the first clamping plate 27 and the second clamping plate 28.

The first horizontal feather keys 30, the first vertical feather keys 31, and the first horizontal feather key grooves 35 and the first vertical feather key grooves 36 corresponding thereto, which are described here, form the emergency running gear of the overload protection unit 19 in their interaction, using which the force input element 22 and the force output element 23 may execute a guided relative movement to one another when the overload protection unit 19 is actuated. In particular, linear guide paths are provided in a way having a particularly simple construction by these components, so that the force input element 22 and the force output element 23 may be translationally moved to one another in a guided way.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 molding facility -   2 fixed top tool -   3 molding and punching tool top part -   4 translationally movable bottom tool -   5 molding and punching tool bottom part -   6 double arrow -   7 drive shaft -   8 eccentric disk -   9 rotational direction -   10 gear -   11 toggle lever mechanism -   12 pushrod -   13 first toggle lever -   14 second toggle lever -   15 machine housing -   16 toggle joint -   17 first pushrod link -   18 second pushrod link -   19 overload protection unit -   20 drive side -   21 output side -   22 force input element -   23 force output element -   24 first bearing eye -   25 second bearing eye -   26 crash distance -   26A free stroke -   27 first clamping plate -   28 second clamping plate -   29 clamping screws -   30 first horizontal feather keys -   31 first vertical feather keys -   32 second horizontal feather keys -   33 second vertical feather keys -   34 feather key screws -   35 first horizontal feather key grooves -   36 first vertical feather key grooves -   37 second horizontal feather key grooves -   38 second vertical feather key grooves -   39 axial direction -   40 shear pin -   41 sensors -   42 sensors 

1. An overload protection unit having a force input element and having a force output element, which are non-positively and rigidly connected to one another using a positive connection and which are movable relative to one another when an overload protection unit is actuated, characterized by an emergency running gear, using which the force input element and the force output element are connected to one another so they are guided controlled with one another when the overload protection unit is actuated.
 2. The overload protection unit according to claim 1 wherein the emergency running gear has guide paths along which the force input element and the force output element may execute a translational relative movement guided to one another.
 3. The overload protection unit according to claim 1 wherein the positive connection comprises a bias-tensioned triggering component and/or a shear pin.
 4. The overload protection unit according to claim 1 wherein the force input element and the force output element are rigidly and non-positively connected to one another using a friction-locked connection.
 5. The overload protection unit according to claim 4 wherein the friction-locked connection comprises two clamping elements, between which the force input element and the force output element are clamped.
 6. The overload protection unit according to claim 1 wherein the force input element and the force output element are connected to one another spaced apart from one another by a crash distance.
 7. The overload protection unit according to claim 1 wherein the force input element and the force output element are situated at their head sides to one another.
 8. The overload protection unit according to claim 1 wherein the force input element and the force output element form tension rods and/or pressure rods in a drive train.
 9. The overload protection unit according to claim 1 wherein the force input element and the force output element form a pushrod of a drive train.
 10. The overload protection unit according to claim 1, further comprising sensors, which register a relative movement between the force input element and the force output element.
 11. A drive train having a first drive train link and having at least one second drive train link, which are situated fixedly connected to one another between a drive and a tool, an overload protection unit being situated between the first drive train link and the second drive train link wherein the drive train links are connected to one another as a composite of drive train links guided relatively movable to one another when an overload protection unit is actuated.
 12. The drive train according to claim 11 wherein the drive train links are situated spaced apart from one another by a safety distance.
 13. The drive train according to claim 11 wherein the safety distance at least corresponds to a working stroke, which the drive or a component of the drive, such as a cam disk, provides during a working movement cycle.
 14. The drive train according to claim 11 wherein the crash distance corresponds to at least 80% in particular at most 120% of a working stroke of the lifting tool.
 15. The drive train according to claim 11 wherein the drive train comprises a toggle lever mechanism.
 16. The drive train according to claim 11 wherein the drive has a cam disk or an eccentric disk.
 17. The drive train according to claim 11 wherein the drive train links form a pushrod.
 18. The drive train according to claim 11 further comprising an overload protection unit having a force input element and having a force output element, which are non-positively and rigidly connected to one another using a positive connection and which are movable relative to one another when an overload protection unit is actuated, characterized by an emergency running gear, using which the force input element and the force output element are connected to one another so they are guided controlled with one another when the overload protection unit is actuated.
 19. A device having a lifting tool for producing and/or processing a workpiece, in which the lifting tool is mounted so it is movable in the device using a drive train having an overload protection unit, further comprising an overload protection unit having a force input element and having a force output element, which are non-positively and rigidly connected to one another using a positive connection and which are movable relative to one another when an overload protection unit is actuated, characterized by an emergency running gear, using which the force input element and the force output element are connected to one another so they are guided controlled with one another when the overload protection unit is actuated.
 20. A method for applying working forces to a lifting tool, which is driven using drive links guided on predetermined movement paths, and in which an overload protection unit is actuated in the event of a driving force overload, whereby drive links are disconnected from one another wherein the drive links are solely disconnected in regard to working forces when the overload protection unit is actuated, and guide forces interact between the disconnected drive links on the overload protection unit.
 21. The method according to claim 20 wherein the drive links which are disconnected in regard to working forces are guided at least essentially along the predetermined movement paths in the disconnected area.
 22. The method according to claim 20 wherein the lifting tool does not execute a stroke or a secondary stroke when the overload protection unit is actuated. 